Enter your total SKU count, how many times per year each one should be counted, and your working days per year to get a daily cycle-count sample size. New to the method? See how to set up cycle counts or StockFlow's cycle count feature. Split SKUs into tiers first with the ABC analysis tool and run this once per tier for a realistic frequency target.
Cycle Count Sample Size Calculator
SKUs to count per day
10 SKUs
At this rate, every SKU is counted once every 63 working days
How to use this number
Assign a fixed daily count — by aisle, bin range, or a rotating SKU list — sized to this number, so whoever is counting has a defined, achievable task rather than an open-ended "count some stuff" instruction. Barcode scanning during the count keeps it fast enough to fit into a normal shift.
Recalculate whenever your SKU count changes meaningfully (a large assortment expansion, discontinued lines removed) or after reviewing discrepancy data — SKUs that keep showing variances are worth raising to a higher count frequency, even if their ABC tier says otherwise.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many SKUs should I count per day?
Daily sample size = (Total SKUs × Counts per SKU per year) ÷ Working days per year. This spreads a target count frequency evenly across the working year instead of doing one disruptive annual count — the same logic behind rotating cycle counts.
How often should each SKU actually be counted?
Higher for A-tier (high-value or fast-moving) items — monthly or even weekly — and lower for C-tier items, where quarterly or twice a year is usually enough. Run this calculator separately for each ABC tier with its own frequency target rather than one blended number for every SKU. See the ABC analysis tool to split SKUs into tiers first.
Why cycle count instead of one full annual count?
A full count means shutting down operations for a day or more and still only catches discrepancies once a year — errors compound silently in the meantime. Rotating a small daily sample catches and corrects discrepancies continuously, with no full-operation shutdown required.
Does this calculator save my numbers?
No. This is a client-side calculation only — nothing is sent to a server or saved. Refreshing the page resets it to the defaults.
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